A Fordor Project

[mosimpson]

I stumbled onto Dodgerodders Fordor build a while back and really liked what I saw. Then about a week ago I saw a posting on Craigslist for a Model A. So I go and check it out and low and behold its a Fordor. So after sitting on it for a week I called the guy back up and drug this home.

[40Vert]

Looks like a good start for a nice project.

[mosimpson]

It's been awhile since my original post. Progress is being made. But alot of the stuff up to this point hasn't really waranted pictures, just all the small stuff that needs to happen to get a project moving.

Anyway thanks to some additional info. from Dodgerodder, more pics, the project is finally making some noticable progress.

Step 1: Make base to mount body onto.

[mosimpson]

Step 2: Fixture body to base and rust removal.

[mosimpson]

Step 3: Mark off chop and brace body.

[budd]

are you going to keep it a fordor?, i have a similar project i have yet to start, i`m thinking of an extended cab pickup with 4 doors.

[mosimpson]

Step 4: Chop top.

[mosimpson]

Step 5: Mock up (see how's she's looking)

[mosimpson]

Budd-
It's staying a Fordor.

[mosimpson]

This was the first chop my brother and I have ever done. Very exciting. It's amazing how much the chop changes the whole attitude of the car. We still have some work to do to get it all back together. I do have a couple of questions regarding top chops:

1. Is it common to have to touch up areas to get a good fit?

2. When you start tacking do you start at a particular point? (ie. A pillars and work your way back)

3. I've heard about pie cutting at the doors to get the posts to line up, can somebody explaing this procedure?

[budd]

there is a thread on here with some really nice pics of a model-a chop, shows his pie cuts on the posts, it was a fordor, now i cant find the thread, its here i know it. ok i found it,
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...t=model-a+chop

[dodgerodder]

Hey man that looks great-brings back memories! The platform thing worked out great for me, it helped keep it all square, hopefully its working out on yours too. For what it's worth, my input on your questions:
1. It is very common(for me). I probably had the roof on & off 74 times to get the fit right, but its worth the extra effort. The better your fit-up is, the easier the welding will go and the better the end result is. The exta time you spend here will pay off in the end

2. Once I got the fit where I wanted it, I tacked the whole thing in a few places in each area(each pillar, and the back section). Once it was all tacked, and still lined up well, I finished welding, skipping around to keep it cool and minimize distortion. You must get #3 right though before you can finish the doors.....

3. This step is simple, but needed to make the posts line up. Done right, it will mean very little finish work to get it into paint. Pie cutting is needed because once you cut the section of pillar out, the bottom section will be fatter then the top section, because there is a slight taper to the door posts-they get thinner toward the top.

To fix it, all that is needed is a simple cut in the lower door post, so that you can pull it in to make it match up-SEE PIC:


Weld it up and be done with it. The first door will take the longest-once you do one, the rest go really quick. Plus, you got four doors, so there's plenty of practice

Keep up the great work. If you run into any questions, let me know. I might not have the best answer, but I'll have something after going thru it on mine already
Dan

Originally Posted by mosimpson

This was the first chop my brother and I have ever done. Very exciting. It's amazing how much the chop changes the whole attitude of the car. We still have some work to do to get it all back together. I do have a couple of questions regarding top chops:

1. Is it common to have to touch up areas to get a good fit?

2. When you start tacking do you start at a particular point? (ie. A pillars and work your way back)

3. I've heard about pie cutting at the doors to get the posts to line up, can somebody explaing this procedure?

[CG]

Looking good.....whatever happened to dodgerodders ride, did it get finished? That thing was (is) very cool.

[mosimpson]

Dan-

Thanks for the post and encouragement. The info. you've posted here on the HAMB and sent has been a great help as well as very motivational.

Are you still working on your RPU? I check for new posts from you all the time. Love the quality of your work.

Mike

[HOOLIGAN350]

Man that looks cool. I know you said you were keeping it fordoor and that is friggin cool. It's not the same ol thing and the proportions look bad ass to me. Good Job

[Oldsmobucket]

looks great . four doors are normally overlooked and cheaper, thats one reason i like them. keep up the good work.

[Chuck R]

Its gonna be cool, and you can drag your family and friends along too.
chuck

[Hotrod F-1]

Cool project. My dad has a '31 Model A Townsedan like that. Just if I could get him to chop it.

[mosimpson]

Wanted to make a quick update. Been working on the lower subframe. Dan, you were right about that being alot of work. Also been doing some design work/layout to prepare myself for the frame build when its time. Check these out!

[scootermcrad]

Yeah!!!! Awesome!!! Can't wait to see this thing!! Keep the posts comin'!!

Scooter